as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out
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Recent Examples of figuring out
The stats are solid — a franchise-record 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns to only seven interceptions — and the eye test shows someone figuring out how to do this job at the highest level.
—
Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The story is very much a journey of discovery for Colin, Harry Melling’s character — figuring out the rules of this sub-dom relationship and what Ray is asking of him.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Some offer a full refund to passengers while others are still figuring out how the reduction in flights will impact them.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
While the benefits of T can be amazing, figuring out the side effects can also take trial and error.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Part of that challenge was figuring out the prosthetics and costumes to make Taylor into a believable Santa.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
And while figuring out how to deal with fame was tough, Gaga admitted that the more difficult conflict ultimately turned out to be that between Gaga and Stefani.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
That fee structure, paired with figuring out the early wins of the Buy With Prime program, have seen Steve Madden working to figure out which of its products make sense to list via Buy With Prime.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
The news emphasizes each industry’s individual role in figuring out when and how to incorporate new technologies.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The story is very much a journey of discovery for Colin, Harry Melling’s character — figuring out the rules of this sub-dom relationship and what Ray is asking of him.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Some offer a full refund to passengers while others are still figuring out how the reduction in flights will impact them.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
While the benefits of T can be amazing, figuring out the side effects can also take trial and error.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Part of that challenge was figuring out the prosthetics and costumes to make Taylor into a believable Santa.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
And while figuring out how to deal with fame was tough, Gaga admitted that the more difficult conflict ultimately turned out to be that between Gaga and Stefani.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
That fee structure, paired with figuring out the early wins of the Buy With Prime program, have seen Steve Madden working to figure out which of its products make sense to list via Buy With Prime.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
The news emphasizes each industry’s individual role in figuring out when and how to incorporate new technologies.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
Verb
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By solving the problem of high credit card APRs, a rate cap could very well end up hurting those it was intended to help.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 Jan. 2026
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This makes solving the puzzle considerably more difficult.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But tensions between the factions and the two Gulf nations appear to be unraveling the coalition, threatening to throw them into outright conflict and further tear apart the Arab world’s poorest country.—
Ahmed Al-Haj,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
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Mary Bronstein’s film stars Rose Byrne as a Long Island mom unraveling while dealing with her daughter’s mysterious stomach ailment.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Officers responded to the couple’s home after several concerned friends and co-workers called police to report that Spencer Tepe, a local dentist, had not shown up for work and Monique Tepe was not answering the phone.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
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There were Miami heroics of receiver Malachi Toney turning a short pass into a 36-yard touchdown for the lead, and Mississippi’s answering heroics of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss throwing a 24-yard touchdown to retake the lead.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Our tester, Alexandra, spends a lot of time swimming and working out, so a formula that tackles grease and sweat is paramount in her routine.—
Olivia Rose Rushing,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
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Comeback season is also when the five really hone in on self-care, Yeji emphasizing sleep and working out and Chaeryeong fitting stretches into her rituals.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Some folks swear by the idea of kicking off the new year with better habits, resolving to change this and do that differently.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Ravens organization still has a major problem in resolving this awful situation.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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